By now we are all aware of the news that broke shortly after Chag, that there is a deal to bring the hostages home and towards peace in the Middle East. While we are still learning the details, we know the first phase begins with all the living hostages coming home and a commitment to the return of all the deceased.

I am overwhelmed with emotion—wanting to both rejoice knowing that the living hostages can finally come home and begin their healing, and with trepidation at their condition and their long road ahead. Our joy will not be complete until the fallen are also returned and receive a proper burial in the land of Israel that will provide some closure for their families.

As stated in this letter from Keren Hayesod:

This monumental development is not just a negotiation breakthrough; it is a deeply moving and crucial milestone for the State of Israel, for the Jewish people globally, and for all who have stood united in fervent prayer and unwavering determination.

As the nation pauses to absorb this joyous moment, we do so with solemn respect and enduring memory of those no longer with us—the hostages who were murdered in captivity and the heroic fallen soldiers and citizens who made the ultimate sacrifice for this day. Their memory is a sacred beacon that will forever guide our collective efforts and strengthen our resolve to forge a safer, more resilient future.

We have been waiting for this moment for two long years. Most recently at our commemoration we said prayers for hostages' release and safe return, read their names and expressed, through song and dance, our collective emotions and wishes for their healing. I also reiterated, this is not over until hostages are returned and Hamas no longer rules Gaza.

Having had the privilege of meeting with families whose loved ones remained captive, I had a firsthand witness to strength and heroism that defies logic. We have all seen how the Israeli people have shown an indomitable spirit—a resilience that can only be described as miraculous. Our story is filled with heroes.

Our strength as a community comes from our unity, and our collective actions to support Israel, and “am Israel’, the Jewish people. We volunteered, we gathered, we advocated, and we raised emergency dollars to support immediate needs and long-term recovery. Along our sister communities across the country, we did not give up hope nor did we waiver in our commitment to the values of peace, democracy, and the right of Israel to exist and Israelis to live in safety.

May we as a community emerge stronger and continue to build a better future in Edmonton, in Israel, and for the Jewish people around the world.

I want to wish you all a Shabbat Shalom and joyous Simchat Torah. We have an incredible and timely opportunity on October 21 to hear from Jonny Daniels. As a former IDF staff sergeant, Israeli ministerial advisor, and founder of From the Depths—a foundation dedicated to supporting Holocaust survivors and honoring those who saved them—Jonny brings a powerful perspective shaped by experience, advocacy, and action. With a strong presence on social media and a reputation for speaking truth to power, he offers unique insights into the current situation in Israel and the importance of preserving memory and justice. I hope to continue to show our collective strength and see you there.  

Stacey